St Sharbel Maronite Church

Saint Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church is a vibrant Maronite Catholic community located in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. [1] The church offers liturgies in both English and Arabic, with a special monthly devotion to St. Sharbel on the 22nd. [2] As part of the Antiochene Syriac Maronite Church, it is one of over twenty Eastern and Oriental Catholic Churches in communion with the Roman Pontiff. [3]

Saint Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church is a dedicated spiritual home for the Maronite Catholic community in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. The church is part of the Antiochene Syriac Maronite Church, which is one of over twenty Eastern and Oriental Catholic Churches in communion with the Roman Pontiff. [4] The Maronite Church traces its history back to the 4th century when St. Maron lived on the mountains of Cyrrhus, near Antioch, and was known for his gift of healing. [5] The church in Newtown Square was established in the late 20th century, with the first Liturgy celebrated in 1998. [6] The church offers liturgies in both English and Arabic, reflecting the diverse linguistic backgrounds of its congregation. [7] The weekly schedule includes liturgies on Thursdays at 7:00 PM, Fridays at 7:00 PM (Arabic), Saturdays at 4:00 PM (English), and Sundays at 11:00 AM. [8] Additionally, the church has a special monthly devotion to St. Sharbel on the 22nd, which includes a liturgy followed by a blessing with an icon of St. Sharbel, veneration of his relics, and the celebration of the Anointing of the Sick. [9] The church also provides various ministries and services, including parish membership, baptism questionnaires, children's religious education programs, and First Holy Communion registration. [10] The church is led by Father Joseph Abisaad, who has been serving as Parish Administrator since 2018. [11] The church is committed to welcoming newcomers and fostering a sense of community among its members. [12]

St. Sharbel Maronite Church in Newtown Square offers a welcoming space for Maronite Catholics, blending English and Arabic liturgies to reflect its diverse community. First-time visitors may appreciate the bilingual services, monthly St. Sharbel devotion, and ministries for children and families, fostering a sense of tradition and belonging.

Pros

• Clear, posted worship times including bilingual liturgies
• Family-friendly ministries like children's religious education and First Holy Communion registration
• Monthly St. Sharbel devotion with relics and blessings
• Welcoming tone for newcomers as noted in website content
• Active online presence with contact and event details

Cons

• Accessibility features for facilities are not explicitly detailed on the website
• No visitor testimonials or reviews available to gauge community experience